May 10, 2023 | Pest Control
Cockroaches are one of the most common household pests found in homes. They are known for their hardiness and ability to survive in a variety of environments, making them difficult to get rid of once they’ve invaded your home. Let’s take a look at some of the most common types of cockroaches found in our area.
Types of Cockroaches Found in North Carolina Homes:
- American Cockroach: These are the largest of the common household roaches, measuring up to two inches in length. They are reddish-brown and have wings that enable them to fly short distances.
- German Cockroach: These are the most common household roaches, measuring up to half an inch in length. They are light brown with two stripes on their backs.
- Oriental Cockroach: These are also known as water bugs and are typically found in damp environments. They are black and measure up to one inch in length.
- Brownbanded Cockroach: These are smaller than German roaches, measuring up to a half-inch in length. They are light brown and have distinctive brown bands across their wings.
Prevention and Treatment:
- Keep a Clean Home: Roaches are attracted to food sources and moisture, so keeping your home clean and dry is key to preventing infestations. This means regularly cleaning your kitchen, wiping down counters, and keeping food in sealed containers.
- Seal Entry Points: Cockroaches can enter your home through small cracks and gaps. Seal these entry points with caulk or weather stripping.
- Eliminate Moisture: Fix leaky pipes and faucets and use a dehumidifier to keep your home dry.
- Use Bait Traps: Place roach bait traps in areas where you have seen roaches. The bait attracts the roaches, which then take the poison back to their nest.
- Call a Professional: If you have a severe infestation, it’s best to call your local professional pest control company. They can help identify the types of cockroaches you have and provide targeted treatment to eliminate the infestation.
Mar 13, 2023 | Pest Control
Spring is a time for renewal and growth, but unfortunately, it’s also a time for pests to emerge from their winter hiding spots and wreak havoc on homes and gardens. North Carolina, with its warm and humid climate, is particularly susceptible to pests during spring. Here are some of the most common spring pests homeowners in North Carolina may experience, along with tips on how to prevent and control them.
Termites
Termites are a serious problem in the south, and spring is the time when they start swarming in search of new nesting sites. Termites can cause extensive damage to the structure of homes, and if left untreated, can lead to costly repairs. Homeowners should be on the lookout for signs of termite infestations, such as mud tubes, discarded wings, and wood damage. To prevent termite infestations, homeowners should remove any wood debris or stumps near their homes, repair any water leaks or moisture problems, and have regular inspections by a licensed pest control professional.
Ants
Ants are another common spring pest in this area. They are attracted to food, water, and shelter and can quickly become a nuisance in homes and gardens. Ants can also cause damage to plants and can even bite humans and pets. Homeowners can prevent ant infestations by keeping their homes clean and free of food debris, sealing cracks and crevices, and trimming plants away from the home’s foundation.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes thrive in warm, humid environments, making the south an ideal location for them to breed. Mosquitoes can transmit diseases such as the West Nile virus and Zika virus, making them a serious health concern. Homeowners can prevent mosquito infestations by removing any standing water around their property, such as in bird baths or clogged gutters. In addition, homeowners can install screens on doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering the home.
Ticks
Ticks are another common spring pest. They are often found in wooded areas and can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Homeowners should take steps to prevent tick bites by wearing long-sleeved clothing, using insect repellent, and avoiding tall grass and brush. In addition, homeowners can keep their yards free of debris and trim back any overgrown vegetation to reduce the likelihood of tick infestations.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are a year-round problem, but they become more prevalent in the spring as the weather warms up. Cockroaches can contaminate food, trigger asthma and allergy symptoms, and transmit diseases. Homeowners can prevent cockroach infestations by keeping their homes clean and free of food debris, sealing any cracks or crevices, and reducing humidity levels.
By working with your local pest control company and taking proactive measures, you can protect your home and family from these common spring pests.
Aug 15, 2022 | Pest Control
Seeing cockroaches in your home is never ideal. Certain roaches can mean there is an infestation, instead of just one. Failing to remove these pests can lead to unpleasant outcomes and more sightings.
We have broken down the most common cockroaches found in North Carolina and how to keep them away; let’s check it out!
German Cockroach
These roaches are generally light to dark brown and have two stripes near the back of their head. This species does have wings but rarely uses them. They prefer dark, moist places, such as basements and crawl spaces. They don’t do well in the cold, so they thrive better here in the South.
American Cockroach
Larger than the German cockroach, these roaches can get up to four centimeters in length. They develop wings towards the end of their lifecycle, with males having some longer than their bodies. They can be identified easily with a yellow band behind their head. They are typically found where there is an abundance of food, so restaurants see more infestations than homeowners would. They prefer dark or damp wood piles in the wild.
Here are some ways to prevent cockroaches and keep them away from your home.
- Eliminate food sources: store food in airtight containers and do not leave food out on counters
- Clean up food debris: make sure crumbs are not left on the counters and vacuum often to keep food off the floors
- Declutter your home: clutter provides free hiding places for roaches; be sure to keep clutter minimal
- Seal all entry points: key risks are windows, doors, pipes, and drains. Be sure to seal all open areas to keep them out of your home.
If you think you have a roach infestation, be sure to reach out to your local pest control company. These professionals will provide the best plan of action to keep roaches out of your home.
Feb 14, 2022 | Pest Control
Cockroaches are attracted to food, water, and warm shelter, all of which can be found in your home. They can multiply quickly and adapt to just about any environment, which makes them extremely difficult to get rid of. Cockroaches are dangerous to humans as they’re known to carry and transmit serious diseases, trigger allergies and asthma, and contaminate food and surfaces in your home. In order to keep roaches out of your home, the goal is to make it as unattractive to them as possible. Below are 3 tips to help prevent roaches.
Keep it clean
Roaches are attracted to dirt and filth because they provide a source of food for them. Keeping your home clean helps eliminate these food sources by making them go elsewhere in search of something to eat. Wash your dishes and put them away after meals, clean up any crumbs and spills, empty the garbage before going to bed, clean grease from your stovetop, and sweep, mop, and vacuum on a regular basis. Also, make sure you seal any leftover food in containers and don’t leave pet food out overnight.
Clear it out
The less clutter in your home, the less places roaches have to hide. Besides that, cockroaches love to breed in newspaper and cardboard. Keep your home as clutter free as possible. Make sure you dust regularly and use plastic storage bins instead of cardboard boxes when possible.
Seal it up
Roaches are able to squeeze through the tiniest of holes. They tend to get in through cracks around windows, doors, roofs, foundations, in attics and crawlspaces, and through vents and holes used for electric and plumbing. Inspect your home for any possible entry points and seal them up. For smaller holes you can seal with caulk, and with larger holes you can seal with steel wool or foam.
If you are overwhelmed and can’t get roaches away from your home, call your local pest control company. They can provide you with a thorough inspection to help identify what type of pest you’re dealing with, the most likely points of entry they’re using, and the most up-to-date treatment and prevention options available.
